The Meetings Industry Association (MIA) is developing best
practice guidance to help the industry mitigate the impact of the Covid-19
outbreak and drive new business, reduce cancellations and manage postponements.
The association said the document is being designed to help
keep meetings businesses in operation while making health and wellness a top
priority.
Following a dedicated coronavirus event on 9 March, the MIA
is using information and guidance from experts in health, crisis management and
law to help operators understand their legal and social responsibilities
following the outbreak.
Attendees at the event were advised to draw up adaptable
plans for operations, staffing and communications while continuing to monitor
and follow official guidance.
Rhiannon Evans from Beattie Communications said: “None one
is to blame for this crisis, but you could be blamed for not following official
advice. It’s a rapidly evolving situation so we need to plan but also be
adaptable.
Kate Thompson from the Chartered Institute of Environmental
Health Wales said that while many venues are concerned over cancellations,
there could be a wider impact on the industry’s workforce. She warned that up
to a fifth of employees could be off work during the virus’s peak, advising
venues to create plans for staffing in all eventualities.
Meanwhile, Chris Neeham-Bennett, MD of Needhams 1834,
suggested venues create a ‘social charter’ outlining what the organisation will
do for its employees and what would be expected from the workforce should they
become ill or were forced to work from home, as could be the case if the UK
moves to the “delay” phase of managing the Covid-19 outbreak.
Attendees were also advised to check event contracts and
business continuity insurance to see where they would be covered by Claire
Mulligan, partner at Kennedy’s Law. She also said following official advice was
the best protection against any Covid-19-related claims from clients.
“Following advice from government and Public Health England
is the best way to go. You will be covered legally if you follow official
advice. Ensure you have a paper trail to back you up,” Mulligan added.
MIA chief executive Jane Longhurst said: “We are a resilient
sector and we will survive, but this is a challenge that will stretch us to our
limits. We are aware of the challenges our members and the wider industry are
facing in these extraordinary circumstances, so felt it was essential to bring
everyone together to help allay everyone’s own fears and give them the right
guidance to navigate their way through this in the best way they can.
“In order to mitigate the impact of coronavirus Covid-19 on
all our businesses, it’s essential that the industry works in solidarity and
that fairness comes first, which is why we are creating best practice to help
guide the industry in their approach to cancellations and postponements.”
You can register for regular updates from the MIA at mia-uk.org/coronavirus